ABSTRACT:
Glucocorticoids, commonly referred to as corticosteroids or steroids, are used by the body to:
* regulate carbohydrate, protein, and lipid metabolism;
* maintain fluid and electrolyte balance;
* and control cardiovascular, immune, kidney, skeletal muscle, endocrine, and nervous system functions.
In the early 1940s, it was discovered that the naturally occurring glucocorticoid, cortisol, and its synthetic derivatives could be administered as drugs to replace naturally occurring steroids and also to reduce undesirable consequences of inflammation and allergy.
This course describes how topical steroids can be used to treat inflammatory and allergic diseases of the eye’s anterior segment. It begins with a basic science review of inflammation and allergy and then discusses how steroids can be used to suppress these processes. It also provides information on specific topical steroids that are available for ocular use and reviews anterior segment diseases that can be managed by the use of topical steroids.